Bad Ignition Safety Switch

[DeaconBlues]

I just want one problem free day!!!

1997 Larson 186lxi Volvo Penta 3.0 SX MLKD

Running great, I bumped the safety switch and it died. Started playing with the switch (tether) and it kept dying. Finally wouldn't start.

Started motor turns, cylanoid wont engage. Remains the same regardless of whether or not the tether is pluged in. Does that thing provide a ground or something. I don't get it...

Help please. And I don't wear the teather, its a 19' ski boat only used on a small lake, so if I can just bypass it that works for me. Tried to just put the two wires going to it together. No change.

one wire runs to the ignition (reading hot everywhere I could test it)

2nd wire goes to a harness on the motor and I don't know where it goes next.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

I just want one problem free day!!!

1997 Larson 186lxi Volvo Penta 3.0 SX MLKD

Running great, I bumped the safety switch and it died. Started playing with the switch (tether) and it kept dying. Finally wouldn't start.

Started motor turns, cylanoid wont engage. Remains the same regardless of whether or not the tether is pluged in. Does that thing provide a ground or something. I don't get it...

Help please. And I don't wear the teather, its a 19' ski boat only used on a small lake, so if I can just bypass it that works for me. Tried to just put the two wires going to it together. No change.

one wire runs to the ignition (reading hot everywhere I could test it)

2nd wire goes to a harness on the motor and I don't know where it goes next.

to your ignition relay most likely
Started motor turns, cylanoid wont engage???
solenoid has to engage in order to,,,
lanyard switch is normally closed circuit.
2 wires feeding both ends of the kill switch, connect those 2 together.
If she ain't going, it ain't the switch,,,then look for a blown fuse

 

[DeaconBlues]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

I'm sorry, but I don't totally understand your response.

I did put the two wires from behind the switch together and no change.

Isn't it odd that regardless of whether they are together/apart/on the switch/off the switch/tether in/tether out... the boat does the same thing???

Start motor screams, no click from the cylanoid. I understand I may just have a bad starter, but if that were the case, then when I disconnect the safety switch it shouldn't turn the starter should it?

Basically I need to undertand how that safety switch works. If if just breaks the connection in those two wires, then when I take them apart, why noes nothing change?

Seems like a fuse or a ground or something but I can't find a problem (or am not looking in the right place)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

The safety lanyard has nothing to do with the starter. It only goes to the ignition.

 

[DeaconBlues]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

The safety lanyard has nothing to do with the starter. It only goes to the ignition.

One wire runs to the ignition, the other back to the engine compartment somewhere.

Again, if that is the case? then why Can I still turn the starter motor by turning the key if I take the wires off the safety switch and do not connect them?

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

One wire runs to the ignition, the other back to the engine compartment somewhere.

Again, if that is the case? then why Can I still turn the starter motor by turning the key if I take the wires off the safety switch and do not connect them?

What part don't U understand?
"the other back to the engine somewhere" as I explained above, engine somewhere would be the ignition coil / module.
As bruce explained,,,
Your lanyard (tether) sw has nothing to do with the starter.
even with a broken kill sw your starter will be still cranking it just won't catch fire,,,which is in your case.
Once again, if your starter is screaming that means the solenoid is engaged.

 

[DeaconBlues]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Thank you and I meant no disrespect, just had a little trouble following you.

Ok, so the moral of the story is that I need to be looking for a fuse or something.

Also, the problem was getting worse the longer I ran the boat (the hotter things got), until finally I ended up with this. so something was starting to fail and then finally did. Don't know if that helps.

Also, the starter, coil, plugs, wires, and distributer cap are all brand new (and guessing I am going to find out I replaced them all for no reason chasing a ghost.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Anytime my man,,
It is nothing but a inline switch. when your tether is pulled, it is OFF.
At least, the starter is good
Do U have a any kind of tester? If not will need one.
real easy to diagnose,,,
from your ignition(key) switch, start measuring.
If further assistance is needed, let me know,,,

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Get your meter out and start checking voltages. You can check at your coil to see if youre getting 12V with the ignition on. If you are, then you need to look at the ignition sytem. if you are not, you back track to the ignition switch and back further.

 

[DeaconBlues]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

I have a tester. Yesterday I checked from the ignition and at that kill switch, and everythings hot.

Back at the motor, I am not sure what to check. I will go out and check the coil here in a little bit.

I found the file about testing the ignition system, but it doesnt mention a problem like mine where the starting is engaged, but nothing else is happening.

Either way, I will run through the steps

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

What is your tester? Is it a meter?

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Put your tether sw back in,,,
I don't think there is a in-line fuse since this is the secondary side.
The wire going into the engine compartment, trace that wire,,,should go to the ignition relay(typical).
Put the key in RUN/ON position, measure that same wire.
If U get 12V hot but don't hear a clicking noise,,,most likely a bad relay.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

The wire going into the engine compartment, trace that wire,,,should go to the ignition relay(typical).
If U get 12V hot but don't hear a clicking noise,,,most likely a bad relay.

There is no ignition relay.

Suggest that Deacon goes up to the Adults section and download the LK Volvo service manual. Has the circuit diagragm in it for his engine. Can use it to determine where to start measuring voltages.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Oh well no relay then.
Maybe it goes straight to his ignition coil,,,
That's why I noted "typical"
Maybe U do, but I ain't got no time to download & study his diagram.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Its not even on the two boats you own so not sure why you think its typical.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Ok it is the CIRCUIT BREAKER 12.5 AMP.
Happy now?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Ok it is the CIRCUIT BREAKER 12.5 AMP.
Happy now?

After it leaves the safety lanyard switch, it does NOT go to a circuit breaker. There are two 50A circuit breakers on his engine...no 12.5.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Even yours does not go through a 12.5A breaker after the safety lanyard on its way to the coil.

Jeez!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are going to give advice, might be good to see if its correct first!

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

studying my wiring diagram over again???
Looked at the OMC 4.3 wiring diagram in the sticky,,,sure goes to a circuit breaker.
#9 circled item would be it.
How much U wanna bet? Bruce
I got 100 on it
If you are going to make a STATEMENT, might be good to KNOW if its correct first!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Ignition Safety Switch

Deacon...you don't have this circuit breaker. Check your voltage at the coil with the key in the run position.